The Talking Telegraph news service for blind and partially-sighted people in Bradford is seeking new recruits.

For the past 23 years the Talking Telegraph, a free weekly audio cassette containing 60 minutes of news from the Telegraph & Argus, has been sent to visually-impaired people throughout the district.

But the number of volunteers has waned recently with the usual complement of 60 helpers reduced to about 50.

Philip Ackroyd, of the Talking Telegraph, said: “We are appealing for new volunteers and listeners. Volunteers would be asked to commit themselves to a couple of hours every five weeks or so. We need volunteers to do the actually reading of the papers, the recording and the packaging.”

Numbers using the service have also fallen over recent years from about 350 to fewer than 200 and Mr Ackroyd is keen to see the number of service-users increase. Anyone registered blind or partially sighted can receive the service.

Three teams of volunteers run the registered charity from Hall Royd Methodist Church in Shipley.

Anyone wishing to volunteer should call Mike Tomlinson on (01274) 571074.

Anyone who knows someone who may be interested in the service or individuals who wish to receive the Talking Telegraph can call Sally Fallon on (01274) 577852 or Philip Ackroyd on (01274) 551184.